Review: Karen Vastbinder's Gambeson and Arming Cap

William Frisbee · Post by **William Frisbee** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 11:34 am

Today I got my gambeson and arming cap from Karen.

It was worth the wait, although I wish there was better communication from Karen.

The gambeson is cut to me perfectly coming down to just above my knees, as was typical with a mid 14th century gambeson/anketon.

It's done in black with red edging. The seams are done well and very tight, and the cotton batting is very well done. It's heavy and coult more than likely be worn as armour as it's own (with a body bracelet or heavy kidney belt under it.

The sleeves are detachable with velcro, at the top of the shoulder, and the sleeves cover well down to the wrist with no problems.

All in all I am very happy with the gambeson. I will have to wash it a couple of times to loosen the fabric up a bit, and to get rid of that "new cloth" smell, but I think I can manage. =)

Thanks Karen. You do good work.

Halberds · Post by **Halberds** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 12:35 pm

My God Man Pics! where are the Pics?

William Frisbee · Post by **William Frisbee** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 1:13 pm

As requested...

If you read this Karen, what are the washing instructions? The last thing I wanna do is to wreck this.

[img]http://home.attbi.com/~stormer/nosleeves.jpg[/img]

[img]http://home.attbi.com/~stormer/withsleeves.jpg[/img]

[This message has been edited by Evil_Merlin (edited 02-22-2003).]

Otto · Post by **Otto** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 9:16 pm

Unfortunately, washing gambesons is one thing I've not read much about... I asked, and Karen drew a blank too. There are many fighters on this board, so I'd assume someone out there must wash their gambesons. I would think it'd wash very similar to a heavy blanket. Being a cotton shell and batting, I'd think it should wash OK... I'm sorry I don't have any real wisdom on that subject.

Galileo · Post by **Galileo** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 9:44 pm

If it's all cotton, there is the (albeit slig